MBOMBELA – The ANC-led provincial government has ambitious plans to move Mpumalanga forward. The premier Mr David Mabuza undertook to take on health care, education, job creation, and an increase in the delivery of basic services in his State of the Province Address on Friday.
Water and work topped his to-do list. He is targeting the creation of a minimum of 390 000 sustainable jobs over the next five years. To achieve this, an economic growth rate of five per cent per annum is required.
The key economic sectors of agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing, tourism and information and communications technology (ICT) will hence be prioritised. Infrastructure investment will also increase to create employment. More money is to be spent on health-care and education infrastructure as well as roads, broadband connectivity and bulk water, sewerage and irrigation. Mabuza estimated that approximately R18,5 billion would be spent on this over the next five years.
Mpumalanga’s fresh-produce market as well as increased support for small-scale farmers and cooperatives and the utilisation of land-reform farms and fallow state land to increase production and investment in irrigation, are steps to support the sector.
Tourism, through the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, is another priority. The marketing, branding, development of liberation heritage routes, support for small businesses and cooperatives, diversification of product offerings and improved security to enhance the safety of tourists and natural assets, are also on the cards.
The government also plans to use ICT to improve service delivery in health and education and identify opportunities for small business development. Mabuza pointed out that the private sector and community organisations would have to be involved to realise the plans.
He also noted strategic infrastructure projects which are to be introduced over the next term. Aside from the market, an international convention centre, a cultural hub, an ICT call centre and a high-altitude sport training centre are to be established.
Among the interventions in the health department is the improvement of business processes in the financial and supply-chain management systems. Priority areas are improved efficiency, adequate infrastructure, appointing sufficient personnel, and establishing an effective and efficient medical supply distribution system.
“We can no longer tolerate the instances of mismanagement and neglect in our hospitals and health-care facilities that persist, despite our ongoing efforts to address these issues… They stop now. The leadership and our citizens have spoken unanimously in favour of a total overhaul of the health system in this province and we are prepared to do just that.”
All municipalities are to implement the Spatial Planning and Land-use Management Act to guide development activities, including areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leaders, to prioritise the delivery of basic services. Bulk-water infrastructure and water reticulation and sanitation will also be prioritised by the government. Education remains a top priority.
“The socio-economic transformation of our society depends on the quality of our education system. There is no doubt that no other investment yields as great a return as the investment in education. An educated work force is the foundation of every community and the future of every economy,” the premier said.
View pictures from the red carpet here.
